Dodgers rally after Utley's controversial slide to level series
The New York Mets jumped out to an early lead in Game 2 of their NLDS with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night, but a controversial play in the seventh inning shifted momentum in favor of the home team.
Chase Utley, in an attempt to break up a double play, unleashed an aggressive takeout slide that fractured Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada's right fibula in the seventh inning. The Dodgers would rally for four runs in the frame and claim a 5-2 victory.
Top Performer: Adrian Gonzalez delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh after starting the series 1-for-7, including six strikeouts. Dodgers starter Zack Greinke also put in a stellar effort, pitching seven innings of two-run ball to keep Los Angeles in the game.
Starting Pitchers: Overshadowed in the drama of the seventh inning was a formidable pitchers' duel between Greinke and Noah Syndergaard. Greinke, who recorded a major-league best 1.66 ERA during the regular season, uncharacteristically coughed up two homers in the second inning, but settled in to earn his third career playoff win. Syndergaard, meanwhile, cruised through the contest until getting into trouble in the seventh, but threw 115 pitches in the process.
| PITCHER | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syndergaard | 6.1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| Greinke | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
Turning Point: Momentum clearly shifted in favor of the Dodgers after Utley's takeout slide knocked Tejada out of the game in the seventh with the score tied 2-2. Los Angeles challenged the force play at second on the violent play, and the call on the field was overturned, leaving Utley at second base. After Corey Seager flied out to record the second out of the inning (it would have been the third and final out had the previous play not been overturned), Gonzalez responded by driving in a pair with a double to right. Justin Turner then plated Gonzalez with another double to put the Dodgers up by three.
Win Probability for LAD had Utley’s slide been ruled illegal (7th inn over)=24%
Win Probability when Utley ruled safe, slide ruled legal=64%
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 11, 2015
Up Next: The scene now shifts to Citi Field with the series tied at a game apiece. Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA) will get the ball for Game 3 on Monday, while the Dodgers counter with southpaw Brett Anderson (10-9, 3.69).